Associate Buyer at Kratos Industries LLC – Arvada, Colorado

Position

The Junior Buyer supports the purchasing of materials and supplies needed for daily production and customer orders. This role works closely with Engineering, Production, and the Procurement team to help ensure materials are ordered on time and from approved suppliers. The Junior Buyer will also assist in communicating with vendors and maintaining accurate purchasing records.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to start or grow a career in purchasing within a manufacturing environment.

Performance Accountability

• The Junior Buyer reports to the Procurement Manager and works with multiple departments to support on-time material availability.
• Ability to handle confidential and proprietary information appropriately
• Willingness to learn vendor communication and basic negotiation skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and pay attention to detail
• Ability to organize tasks and prioritize daily work
• Occasional overtime may be required based on business needs

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with purchasing parts, materials, and supplies needed for production
• Create and process purchase orders under the guidance of senior buyers or the Procurement Manager
• Request quotes from suppliers and help compare pricing, lead times, and availability
• Track open purchase orders and follow up on delivery status
• Communicate with internal teams regarding order status and delivery updates
• Help resolve basic supplier or order issues by coordinating with vendors and internal departments
• Support quality and supply chain teams with non-conforming material documentation when needed
• Maintain accurate purchasing data including pricing, lead times, and supplier information
• Assist with monitoring supplier performance and keeping records up to date
• Follow established purchasing procedures and best practices

Professional Experience/Qualifications

• 0 to 2 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related role
• Manufacturing or production environment experience preferred but not required
• Basic knowledge of electrical components or manufacturing materials is a plus
• Experience working in an ISO-9001 environment is a plus
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing concepts is a plus
• Basic computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office
• ERP system experience preferred, JobBOSS is a plus
• Warehouse, inventory, or forklift experience is helpful but not required

Personal & Professional Attributes

• Willingness to learn and take direction
• Comfortable communicating with vendors and internal teams
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Organized and dependable
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work well in a team environment

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required
• Relevant experience may be considered in place of formal education